Mahmood Yakubu
The Supreme Court earlier today ruled that the Court of Appeal panel sitting on the crisis within the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP in Ondo State should go ahead to give a verdict in the matter. Supreme Court justices led by Walter Onoghene, acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, gave the ruling. In it the apex court struck out the plea by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP asking that the Court of Appeal be asked to hands off the matter concerning the rift between the factions of the party in the State.
Eyitayo Jegede, candidate of the faction led by Ahmed Makarfi had gone before the Court of Appeal asking for the reversal of the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to pick the name of Jimoh Ibrahim, candidate of the Sheriff faction for the November 26 governorship election in the State.
The implication of the ruling by the apex court is that it gives hope to Jegede that he probably might get his prayer for the mandate to be given back to him. On the other hand it dampens the confidence of Ibrahim that his candidature of the party at the election has been sealed. However, the whole crisis appears to threaten the chances of the PDP at the election, because even if the matter is resolved before the Saturday election the uncertainty that hung on the party as a result of the rift will affect its chances. But the two contending candidates appear to be optimistic about their chances, and so do not want to lose out.
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